Lonsdale became a public nemesis of the church in 2006 when he began videotaping outside its downtown Clearwater offices, the church's spiritual headquarters. He often stood next to a sign that said, "Cult Watch. Now Filming!"

His video footage showed Scientology workers taking out the garbage, walking in downtown Clearwater and at a festival. He also filmed interactions with church security guards and Scientology staff members who quarreled with him on the street.